The Computer Science curriculum provides both a broad and deep knowledge of the theory, design, and application of computer systems, with an emphasis on software systems. Because computing is ubiquitous, application areas involve virtually any field imaginable - from developing gene sequencing algorithms via techniques in computational biology, to designing user interfaces for mobile applications; from designing methods for high frequency trading, to creating computer generated graphics and special effects in the gaming industry; and from creating embedded real time systems to be deployed in medical devices, to analyzing social data from internet communication patterns. During the first two years the curriculum provides a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and computation. Advanced coursework both in more technical core areas and in areas of the student's choosing follows in the second two years. Graduates regularly go on to graduate study or leading positions in industry.
Both a combined B.S.-M.S. degree program and a B.S-M.C.S. degree program are available. The admission and course requirements are described on the Siebel School for Computing and Data Science website.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
TGPA is required for CS and Math courses. See Technical GPA to clarify requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 100 | Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 |
| Highly recommended, optional 1 credit hour course, CS 100 Computer Science Orientation. Credit hour counts toward free electives. | ||
| CS 210 | Ethical & Professional Issues | 2 or 3 |
| or CS 211 | Ethical and Professional Conduct | |
| Total Hours | 3-4 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours chosen from the following: | 25 | |
| MATH 221 | Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.) | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3 |
| or MATH 415 | Applied Linear Algebra | |
| or MATH 416 | Abstract Linear Algebra | |
| PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 |
| One Science elective course: | 3 | |
| Students must take one course from the Natural Science & Technology (NST) list, in addition to those taken as part of the General Education requirements. The course must be a course that is allowed for credit by the Grainger College of Engineering. | ||
| Exceptions to the list are: ASTR 100, PHYS 101 and PHYS 102, and CHEM 101. | ||
| Students who select either ASTR 121, ASTR 122, or ASTR 150 to satisfy the Science Elective requirement will not be allowed to take ASTR 131 and ASTR 132 as free elective (maximum of 4 credit hours of ASTR 100-level can count towards graduation requirements for all Grainger College of Engineering Undergraduates). | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| CS 128 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 |
| CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 |
| CS 233 | Computer Architecture | 4 |
| CS 341 | System Programming | 4 |
| CS 357 | Numerical Methods I | 3 |
| CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3 |
| CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 |
| Total Hours | 35 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take for a letter grade a minimum of two (2) advanced elective courses comprising at least six (6) credit hours. These advanced elective courses must be distinct from courses used to satisfy the technical electives. They may be chosen from CS 397 Individual Study and the 400-level coursework offered for letter grade in ANY area offered at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is expected that students will select these additional advanced courses in a way that best augments their program of study. Consultation with a faculty mentors is highly encouraged. A maximum of six (6) credit hours of CS 397 may be used in the combination of technical electives and advanced electives. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional course work,subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives,so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. | 24-25 | |
| Total Hours of Curriculum to Graduate | 128 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. The curriculum sequence can also be viewed via dynamic and static curricular maps, which include prerequisite sequencing.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements. If the option of CS 211 is chosen, it will satisfy a core course requirement and the Campus General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
Free Electives: Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 100 (Optional course, highly recommended, free elective) | 1 | CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 | CS 173 | 3 |
| MATH 221 (MATH 220 may be substituted) | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| ENG 100 | 1 | General Education course (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Science elective course | 3 | General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) or Composition I course | 3-4 |
| Composition I or General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) | 4-3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 222 | 1 | CS 233 | 4 |
| CS 225 | 4 | CS 361 | 3 |
| MATH 241 | 4 | MATH 257 | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | 4 | PHYS 212 | 4 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 210 (CS 211 may be substituted) | 2 | CS 374 | 4 |
| CS 341 | 4 | CS Technical elective course | 3 |
| CS 357 | 3 | CS Technical elective course | 3 |
| CS Technical elective course | 3 | General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) course | 4 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 | CS Technical elective course | 3 |
| CS Advanced elective course | 3 | CS Technical elective course | 3 |
| CS Advanced elective course | 3 | CS Technical elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 4 |
| Free elective course | 4 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 128 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science
By the time of graduation, students will have the ability to:
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
